Appreciate What You Got

Never settle, two words that almost everyone has heard as motivation to reach or exceed goals. Its true those individuals that society tabs as successful all seem to have that drive and motivation to never settle for anything less than the best. Michael Jordan likely would not have been the greatest basketball player of all time if he settled for anything less than being the best. I don't disagree with this mindset, but I do wonder on their path to achievement do these individuals take a step back to realize and appreciate what that they do have? Does a highly motivated athlete like Jordan ever fill his seemingly insatiable desire to succeed? Did he ever think hey I got it pretty good, kids look up to me, I got to chill with Bugs Bunny in Space Jam, everyone wants to wear my shoes, I've got scoring titles, MVPs, NBA Championships, etc. or was he too driven by his desire to succeed?
This past Sunday I saw a man outside Church asking for money with a sign that read he lost his job and had four children to raise. I was very taken aback by the sight of this man with his son outside Church. Its not something you see on a regular basis in my town and I couldn't help but notice this man had a very embarrassed look on his face. I really felt for this man who was trying to make ends meet and support his family. It is really mind blowing the degree in which the economy has turned in the past five years. I heard stories from my uncle how employers use to populate career fairs eager to offer employment to qualified college students and how most students graduated with jobs. That world now seems far away as we are mired in this recession with no end in sight. Rallies are forming throughout the country as more people find themselves out of work and the gap between the rich and poor only widens.
Everyday when I leave work I remind myself I'm lucky to have a job. Its not something I take for granted in the slightest. When my alarms sounds at the crack of dawn and my bed beckons for my return upon my departure I remind myself that I am lucky to be going to work. Sure I want to succeed like others, but I never forget to appreciate what I have at the moment. There are a three things that I wholeheartedly believe to be rooted in truth. Never forget where you came from, never forget who you are and never forget those around you.
I am a man who needs little material possessions. I've been rocking the same pair of shoes for a year. They've been through a lot with me; they made the trip down to Punta Cana, they slid through the mud with me during house crawl and they survived the Boardy Barn. My mom tells me to get a new pair and that they smell. I agree, they wreak of memories, excellence and maybe a little beer. The point I'm trying to make is I need little material things to please me. I can never see the point in owning more the one car,  spending $1000's for a Rolex, or spending on others things that are far from necessities. Really, all I need in life is good friends and good drinks, actually on second thought I'll stick with the Natties. Thats who I am and who I hope to always be.
The point I'm trying to make is in life its easy to become envious of others or look ahead to see ourselves where we want to be. This thinking can sometimes cloud our ability to see where we stand currently. I'm sure everyone can find something in their life in which to be grateful. Seeing this man made me think to myself how lucky I am to have a job and not to forget those who are struggling. I couldn't help but feel for this family as they approach the holiday seasons and other families that will not be able to celebrate the way they want. I'll be more mindful of this in the future.  Thanks for reading